RIYADH — Deaths from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus have surged in Saudi Arabia, Health Ministry figures showed on Friday, after authorities warned of a seasonal increase in infections. The ministry recorded five deaths on Thursday alone, bringing to 16 the number since Feb. 11. That figure compares with a single death from the virus in the first 10 days of the month. Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Saeed, who heads the center coordinating the ministry's response to MERS, warned earlier this month that a surge in cases typically occurs around this time of year, because of the risks posed by newborn camels. The World Health Organization (WHO) has cited the preliminary results of studies indicating that people working with camels are at increased risk of infection and young camels are particularly susceptible.
